Flow control valve



API'il 14, 1953 gy.. H. GARDNER 2,634,947

FLow CONTROL VALVE,

Filed Jan. 6, 1948 Patented Apr. 14, 1953 FLOW CONTROL VALVE Lawrence H.Gardner, Lakewood,- Ohio Application January 6, 1948, Serial No. 7131This invention relates to Valves for controlling the ilow of fluid toand from a Working cylinder or other pressure actuated device and hasparticular relation to valves of this type which may be employed forvarying the operational characteristics of such cylinders or devices.

Some of the objects of the invention are to provide:

A now control valve which is simple, efficient, inexpensive, andreliable.

A iiow control valve in which the operating mechanism employed thereincan be removed and other operating mechanisms substituted therefore inorder to provide a valve having diiierent operational characteristics.

A ilow control valve in which a valve member and a closure member areoperatively associated in such manner as to control the iiow of fluid toand from a pressure actuated cylinder or device in such manner that theoperational characteristics of the device may be varied to meetdifferent operational requirements.

Other andfurther objects of the invention will be apparent by referencetothe accompanying drawing of which there is one sheet, Which,'by

way of illustration, shows preferred embodiments and the principlesthereof and what I now consider to be the best 'mode in which I havecontemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of theinvention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used andstructural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in theart-without departing from the present invention andk the *purview oftheappended claims. I also contemplate that of the several differentfeatures of my invention, certain ones thereof may be advantageouslyemployed in some applications separate and apart from the `remainder ofthe features.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a flow control valveillustrating one form of the invention. Fig.-2 is a cross-sectional Viewthrough the valve :structure illustrated by Fig. 1 taken in a plane at90 degrees with respect to Fig. 1 and substantially along line 2-2 ofFig. 1,.looking in the direction ofthe arrows thereon.

Fig. 3,is a cross-sectional view through aow control valve similar tothat illustrated by Fig. 1 except that in Fig. '3 another form of flowYcontrol mechanism is employed.v

Fig-,4 is a fragmentary elevational view of .the lower end of theannular valve member and the closure member lemployed in the structureillustrated by Fig. 3. Fig.4is taken substantially in 4 Claims. (C1.251-120) the plane of line 4 4 on Fig. 3 and looking in the direction`of the arrows extending thereacross.'

Fig. 5 is across-sectional view of a iiow control valve similar to thevalve illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, except that in Fig. 5 another form ofiow contro mechanism is employed.

Fig. 6 iis a fragmentary view of the structure disclosed by Fig. 5 Whenthe flow control mechanism is illustrated i-n a different operativeposition.

4Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is yemployed in the flowcontrol valve I0 illustrated therein, avalve body II which is providedinternally thereof with the ow control mechanism indicated bythe numeralI2. Thevalvebody II comprises an inwardly disposed chamber I3 separatedby a wall I4 from another inwardly disposed chamber I 6. The chamber I3has a threaded opening I'I which provides communication between thechamber and the exterior of the valve body II. yThe threaded opening I1is adapted to be connected by a uid-tight conduit, not shown, to a valvecontrol source of uid under pressure, also not shown. Chamber iiilikewise communicatesV with 'the exterior of the valve body I I througha threaded opening I3 formed in the valve body. The opening I8 islikewise adapted to communicate through a fluid-tight conduit, notshown, with a working cylinder or other fluid actuated device, notshown. It is for the purpose of controlling, regulating, or effectingthe operationV of suchl working cylinder or pressure actuated devicethat the flow control valve I0 is em'- ployed. 4 Y

The wall I4 between the chambers I3 and I'is provided with an orifice I9throughvvhich fluid is adapted to flow to and from the chambers I3. andIB when the pressure actuated device is supplied with uid under pressurefor actuating the same or when fluid is exhausted from such pressureactuated device. Within the chamber I6 beyond the `orii'lce I9 islocated an annular valve member 20 provided with an annular valve seat2| adapted to engage the Wall I 4 when it is desired to close theorifice I9. The annular valve member ZII is slidably disposed in anopening 22 formed in a support 23 projecting from an angularly disposedportion 24 of the Wall I4 in parallel relation to the Yportion of thewall I4 containing the orifice I 9. The annular valve member 2i! isprovided with a frusto-conical opening 26 which is formed interiorlythereof and the cross-sectional area of which increases with thedistance from the oriiice I9. f The smaller part of the opening 26 whichis disposed adjacent the orifice I9 is adapted to receive with only'slight Yclearance with respect cap 29. Thecap 29 is threaded within athreaded 5 opening formed in the valve body Il and indicated by thenumeral 3 I. A gasket 32 is disposed between-the cap r2,9and the valvebody II to insure a fluid-tig'lr'tjoirittherebetween. "Ilhefcylindricalopening 28 extends considerablybeyond the 10 end of the closure member21, when the ow control mechanism is in the position illustrated 'byFigs. 1 and 2, in order to provide room for adjusting the position ofthe closure member 121 with respect to the annular valve memberll.Togprm l5 vde such adjustment, the closure member 21 is provided with athreaded adjusting `rmenib'er i313 which extends through the cap 29andrtherend of which is accessible for adjustment 'from VYthe exteriorof the valve 'body II.

member '33 t*is :threaded inthe l'cap 29 fat Z321. VPlhe end of 'the'closure Amember '211 Vwhich is `slidably :disposediin theA cylindricalopening 1228 is provided with a circumrerenti'al groove indicated 336`iin which an :expansible Ysealingring 3.1'is1disposed. 25

The ring 31 is adapted toiprovi'de a seal 5between the closure-member 21vand the cylindrical fopening 528 to prevent leafkage -o'f -uid Abetweenthe closure -meniberf-T fand'the cylindricallopeninglZ.

The opposite end of the closure member 21 isipro- :30

'vided with asimilar groove j=3"9 fand an `expansilzile `sealingringd Ithe r'ingl beinglilkewisefadapted A"to prevent lthe f'ow of L fluidEbetween "the #closure `m'eniber21andftheinteriorsurfacefofthefannularmember 2li when the two n'x'enib'ers #are in v'one/oi g5 'thepossiblefoperatingpositions of suchfmenibers.

Formed inwardlywith-1respect tofthe A.threadslBI isfanelongated-annularopeningfh whichprojects into the valvebody LVII-towardtl'ie adjacent -en`d spring 543 fis disposed-'within the fopening4 2 while thefopposite endef th'efsprin'gflIB disposedIwithfinland-againstftheigrooveend'offthe-annularvalve member l20. 'Thespring I3 tends -lresili'ently A"to "urge kthe annular valve memberv'-2'0 into -engage- .4.5

ment with' the wall '|14 :with ltl'refanmilar waive seat 2'I surroundingthe orifice I9.

'In -vi-'ew-fof the face thatthe *annular valve Csea't 112I aisosomewhatflarger diameter than-theclosure "member 1211 "thus 4providingfan annular sui'ace 50 therebetween Vindicated lcy the inurneral 44, fitis rapparent that the ffanniar Naive member .v2 i) `will be moved fawayirom the .wall I4 whentthere lis fa suicient increase in the fluidpressure withinfthe :chamber ,153 ian'dtthe oriice .|29 :to .overcomethe l compression of .fthe spring "43. :Under such cire the pressure vofthe lfluidw'in .the chamber 1:3 :and "7' `the orice YI 9 falls below the'predetermined :presesure :required .-to v.overcome the fspring 4.3which :previously opposed the .movement of the 'valve member 20 'awayfrom 'the Wall =I4. 'Whenthe pressure in :the ichamber :I :3 lis:relieved fto 'fsuchfan 75 The adjusting 20 4 extent that the pressurein the working cylinder or the pressure actuated device to which thechamber I6 is connected is greater than the pressure in the chamber I3,it is possible by adjusting the position of the closure member 21 tovary the rate at which fluid will return from the chamber IB to thechamber I 3. This may be done by varying theposition of the closuremember 21 relative l'to the vveannular valve member i211.

`For example, in the position in which the flow control mechanism isillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, ithe gasket 4I practically seals theclearance between the interior of the annular valve member 2F] fandithefadjacent end of the closure member 21. However, thegasket III may bemoved away from 'the bottom ofthe taper 26 until a slight clearance:is'iprovidedfbetween the interior of the annular valve .member 20 andthe adjacent end of the yclosure `member 21. Under such circumstancesthere will be a iiow of fluid between the chamber :I5 v"and :lf3 at a--very Ylow frate, and Athis irate will :determine the rate Yat whichathe workingecylinder :orpressureactuatedtdevice reierredtofiszexhaust-.,ed. .-It -will beiapparent that -it .is rpossible to .in- :crease"such irate at -which :the Working vicylinder or pressure actuated:device -may be -exhausted ymerely yby -operating'fthe adjustingmechanism 33 in such a manner as to move the closuremember 2,-1farther'away from the Awall y I 4 and `the'bottom of the taperedopening-:2.6-withinfthememberl -Such movement -of the closurememberobviously 'will `increase the clearance 4.between fthe :end `ofthe -closure -member 2:1 'and the truste-.conical Aor .taperingsurfacef26 which -is formed Ainteriorly =of the annular member 2li. Forexample, vif the-adfjustingmember 33is operated Vinsuch-a way as to movethe closure :member '21 to .itsfouter limit of lmovement, Aitfisapparentthat the now .of iiuid between thechamber I 5 and ltherchamber xI3 fwillreach a .maximum fpossible .rate fior fsuch idevice, .On .theeetherhand,V the movement of :the closure member 21 in theoppositeadirection.willgfproduce sa minimum rate Aof .f1-low between lthe rchambers I 6 Tand L3,.-.it.beingpsossibleftoshave such: rate becomezero :if such .zero late vis desired.

In the .structure ldisclosed `by :3 sand f4 the .same Vvalve Vbody :I-I`is :employed .as Vis em- ,ployedin the Astructuresldisclosed by fFigs..A1 and 2 and .the -valve body 'II ,'inEig. 3 .is adapted to Abeconnected .in the rsame .manner ibetween a working cylinder ,or pressureactuated device ito :be :controlled vand a valve .control .'source .of,flu- .id under pressure. .The Vsame :reerence ;numerals are l.therefore'applied lto the v:valve .body :I I ein 13 aseare employed in :Figs 1eand 2. .In Figs. e3 and however, a somewhat modified .flow YcontrolAmechanism indicated :by `the numeral IH2 `is employed. Such `iiow:nontrol mechanism II2 comprises an annular 'valve member |20 and aclosure member |21. 'The annularvalve member fI.20-;is provided with-zan .annular valve :seat .I2-I which engages :the wall I4 about theorice I9. The closure member ft21'is1in the'formof ia"fbal1valve which'is adapt- :ed :in one `position A.to tirest upon 'a plurality 'ofradially disposed avalve :supports I5I vwhich :project inwardly :fromthe .interior of the l'annular valve member |20. In theother position-ofthe clcasuremember 1521, ithe=b'a11'valve is adapted to seat upon 'an.annular shoulder indicated l'at Ifli 'which is :formed around l:theinterior #of A'the #fannular valve member |20. `Beyond the-valve seat1I12$the `interior =o`f the annular valve member SVI/20 iis adapted to"communicate fwith :the fcham- `ber .I6 2in the-Valve member -IJIth'rough radial lopenings :indicated at 152.

The annular valve member |20 is slidably disposed 'within the body II inthe opening 22 formed in the support 23 of the body II. The end of theannular valve member |20 which is remote from the wall I4 is slidablydisposed in a cylindrical opening |42 which is formed in the body IIbeyond the threads 3|. A spring |43 disposed in a cylindrical opening|28 formed in a cap |29, which is secured in the threads 3| -formed inthe body II, engages the adjacent end ofthe annular valve member |20 forthe f purpose of resiliently urging the annular valve 4rseat |2I intoengagement with the wall I4. The opposite end of thespring |43 Aengagesa disc |54 which is mounted on the end of an adjust- .ing member` |33which is threaded into the end of the cap at |34. The adjusting member|33 is provided with a lock nut |56 disposed beyond the end of the cap|29 for the purpose of xing the adjusting member |33 in any desiredposition.

It will be apparent that the closure member L.|21 will engage theannular seat |26 and the `annular valve member |20 will be Vmoved away`from the wall I4 whenever the pressure of the fluid in the chamber I3is sufficient Vto overcome `the pref-set spring |43. When such movementof the annular member |20 occurs, iiuid will ow through the orifice I9from the chamber `I3 into the chamber I6. It will be apparent that thepressure diierential which will cause By varying the compression of thesprings |43 by variously adjusting the adjusting members |33,

' the various pressure actuated devices may be made to operate insequence.A As the pressure in the line to which all of the sequencevalves are connected increases, each of the annular valve members I 20will open whenever the pressure in the line is sufficient to overcomethe particular degree of compression affecting thel spring |43 of anyvalve in the system.

When the pressure in the line is relieved the pressure' actuated deviceswill' bev exhausted by :dow of uld from chambers I6 to chambers I3through passages |52. and the spaces around the balls within the valvemember |20. Under such circumstances the balls |21 will be moved awayfrom the seats |26 and will rest on the supports I 5| the valve members|20 being thereafter seated around the orifice I9 by operation ofsprings |43.

Referring now to the form of the invention disclosed by Fig. 5, thenumeral II again illustrates a valve body like that indicated by thenumeral II in all of the preceding gures. Corresponding referencenumerals also are applied to all other portions of the valve body.

The annular valve member 220 employed in Figs. 5 and 6 has a cylindricalinteriorly disposed opening 222 formed therein and in which is slidablydisposed a cylindrical formed closure member 221. A spring 243 isdisposed between the annular member 220 and the closure member 221 forthe purpose of tending resiliently to urge the annular member 220 intoengagement with the wall I4 andthe closure member 221 6 into engagementwith the inner end of a cap 229 secured in the threaded opening 3| ofthe valve body II. The annular member 220 has an annular valve seat 22|adapted to engage the wall |4 for closing the orifice I9. The oppositeend of the closure member 221 likewiser is provided with an annularkvalve seat 231 disposed in a groove1236 formed in the end ofthe closuremember 221. The valve seat 231 is adapted to engage the surface of theinner end of the cap `229 around an exhaust passage 233 formedthroughout the length of the cap 229 and through which the exhaust fromthe pressure actuated device to which the valve is connected is adaptedto be Icy-passed. It will be apparent that allowing the exhaust from thepressure actuated device to escape through the exhaust passage 233rather than returning to the valve controlled source of iuid underpressure to which the other side of the valve is connected will exhaustthe pressure actuated device much more quickly than otherwise would bethe case.

In the operation of the structure disclosed by Figs. 5 and 6, it willbeapparent that any increase in pressure Within the chamber I3 and theorifice I9 which is suiicient to overcome the compression of the spring243 will quickly move the annular member 220 away from the wall I4 topermit the flow of fluid into the chamber I6. Such increase in pressureWithin the orifice |9 vwill of course affect the annular surface 244surrounding the annular valve seat 22 I and Will move the annular member220 before such pressure is fully communicated to the interior of theannular member 220. When the annular member is once moved in thismanner, the pressure in the orifice I9 Will immediately aifect theentire end surface of the annular member 220, both Within and withoutthe annular valve seat 22|. When the pressures in the chambers I3 and I6become equalized, then the *annular valve seat 22| will again bepositioned against the wall I4 for closing the opening I9. During all of such times the uid pressure Within the annular lvalve member 220 willurge the closure member 221 toward the cap 229 and in which event theexhaust passage 233 will be closed by the annular valve seat 231.

However, when the valve controlled source of iiuid presure is actuatedor controlled in such manner as to reduce the pressure in the chamber I3to a predetermined value below the pressure of the uid in the chamberI6, then atmospheric pressure aiecting the surface of the closure member221 within the area defined by the annular valve seat 231'and a pressurein chamber rl'affecting the end of closure member 221 outside the valveseat 231 will move the closure member 221 away from the cap 229 therebyimmediately exhausting the chamber IBthrough the exhaust passage 233.

The flow control mechanism employed in the structure disclosed by Figs.5 and 6 is employed when it is desired toprovide a flow control valvethat willV very rapidly supply the pressure actuated device With fluidunder pressure and likewise Will very rapidly exhaust the same to theatmosphere.

While I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is understood that these are capable of modification, andI therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth,but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fallWithin the purview of the following claims.

message@ 21.511 ofw coentr'l waive comprising :a walve body mhaving *ainair 'of .chambers formed "therein, sone .of said chambers beingVadapted for :connection to a valve controlledisource=ofriluidunderpressure fand the fot'her ibeing fadapte'd for connecti'ontofapressure:aetuatedidevice, said cnamaersb'ein'gseparatedl'byrawallhavingafiow.control orifice formed itherein, fanannular Avalve A-merrib'er disposed 1in one of 'said chambers .andcommunicating int'eriorly itvh'eredf With :said orifiice, 'said 'annularvalve vmember b'ein'g fprovided 'with an annular ALvalve fs'eat Yadaptedfto 'engage `:said Vvwall I'about said :orifice ffor cilos'ng saidJoriiizse, fa--elosure zmemb'er ldisposed linvvardly of sa-idannularvalve "member, said rlo'sure member 'being V-threadedly secured*to -fsaid `valve 'body 'so as V*to *be 'maintained in ia zselected"faxed position Ethereof 'and said annular `valve memb'er being Lmovablerelative lto said closure member 4in "fre- `"spense fto a lvariation :in"fluid A'pressure lin said .orice :said Iannular `-valve member "beingmovable "away from -said lWall fior permitting "fluid lowin 'onedirection 'through said valve in 1re- `Aspense vto la Vhigheripressurein said orince, said annular'valve member and said closure-memberLhaving alearance space ytherebetween when said v'annular'valve memberis fin engagementwith said wall, said 'annular 'Valve `member beingvmovable Y:toward said Wall for permitting'iluid rlovv in the oppositeldirection through said clearance space in responsetoia rlov'verpressurein said orice the 'rate-of y'iluid yflow :in said vopposite directionVbeing controlledby the relative'position ofsaid annular valve'an'dclosure -Inembers said 'closure vmember being "movable into 'aplurality of lfixed positions relative to :said 4annular valve memberfor vary- ;ing the relative position 'of said vmembers Vand `therebyxthe clearance fspace there-between Yso as 'to regulate 'the "u'id`flovv in v'said opposite direction.

2. A iiow 'control'valveas-fdenedby*claim 1 vin which said Ainteriorcommunication 'in said'annu- 'lar valve 'member increases "in`cross-sectional area away vfrom 4^said oric'e for a substantialVilist'ance and the cross-sectional area of said closure Lis constant,`said cross-sectional areas being substantially equal at one position of'said members, and in Whichadjusitable means "acces- 4sibleexteriorlylof said body is provided for mov- F ing :said'clo'surememberrelative yto vsaid annular "valve vmemberfiorvarying the clearancebetween 'said members.

"3. A "now `control -`valve yas V"donned v"in y'claim Elinvvliich'thefolearanoe :space between said folo- 'sure "member `and:said fannula'r Avalve member `increases las 'the distance irom saidorifice "in- Ncreases and 'in which fan lexpansible gasket "is provided'between fsaidimembers for closing said clearance at one 'position 'ofsaid Solosure member relative to said annular valve member.

Y"ALSA :now :control vvalve comprising a yvalve "body -having apair of'chambers iormedtherein, :one of .said chambers being adapted for oon--nectionto 'a 'valve 'controlled source tof. fluid yunder pressure andfthe other :being :adapted :for Scon- 'inection'tozapressureiactuatedfdevicefsaid chambers being ,separated :by a JWallshaving 'a ow f'con'trol orice formed itherein, aa 4:valve supportfdisposedinspaced :relation .to :saidvva11,;said.sup- :porlt ahaving. an`opening :formed :therein iin .zalighzment Wlthsaid orifice, an :annularvalve .member :disposed .'in'.said 'opening Lin :sliding :relation toSsaidsupportandlaving a central tapered passage therein Whichrzommunioates 'with 1 said `ori- ;fioe and iincreases :in icross'sectional :.area faway from .said forifice, .said :annular 'valvemember being 'provided with .fan :annular valve `'seat :adapted ttoengage said Wall "about .said :orifice 'forfeiosin'g said orifice,a-.cl'osure `member disposed AWithin said :passage .in fsaid :annular:valve niember .and .fh'aving fa .substantially vuniform cross:sectional :area whereby said Y'annular valve 'mem- :ber fand saidclosure have 'a variable Vclearance 1space ithereb'etvveen when saidannular valve member is seated on said wall, said annularlvalve 4memberbeing movable .relative v.to said 4` closure 'member While'said -olosureymember remains :in la selected l'ixed position "thereof in response -tofa variation 'in ifluid pressure Vin said ori'ce, 'said annular valve-member being movable Iin said fopeningaway from said Wall forpermitting fluid `ilow in :one-'direction through sai'd'valvein responsevto "a fhigher pressure in l:said liorice, said 'annularyvalve'meniberbeing movable'towardsaid *Wall for fluid yflovv fin 4theopposite direction through said clearance space "in response to a lowerpressure 1in said orifice, the rate of fluid ilovv in `sa'id Aoppositedirection being Acontrolled by the relative position of `said 'valve andclo- "sure membersfsaid closure member being adjustiable relative zto'said annular 'valve member into =a plurality o'fxed Vpositions ithereofLVfor'varying the clearance #space betweenfsaid members Vso as"tojregulate Ithe 'rate'of uid flow 'in said opposite'direotionthroughsaidclearance'space.

'LAWRENCE GARDNER.

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740,225 .Brown iSept. 29, 1903 '822,023 Y Schreidt May 29, 19.06

1,187,385 Peek .June 13, Y19.16 1,288,578 .-I-Iateld. Dec.124, 1918:1,726,102 Forman Aug. 27, V1929 .11,835,979 Ernst n Dec. 8, 193'11,850,117 McMillan Mar. 22, 1932 :1,994,974 Wiedmann. .-Mar. 19, 19352,006,141 .Husseyi .J unel25,:1935 2,16lj642 iStroup Juner, 19392,162,743 .,*Norbom June20, 1939 `23511;8754 Parker June .20, 19.44.2,365,892 McLeod iDec. 26, .19.44 2,403,029 Smith .July.2, .19.46

.FOREIGN 'PATENTS Number. Country Date 693,355 vFrance of 1930

